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Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, had a viral, combative exchange with Sky News reporter James Matthews just hours before his Senate victory Tuesday, even putting his hands on the journalist.
“Are you registered to vote in the state of Michigan?” El-Sayed asked as he walked up to reporter James Matthews.
“I’m not,” the British correspondent, who is based in the U.S., responded.
“Why would I care to have a conversation with you?” the Democrat fired back.
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Democratic Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed got into a heated exchange with a Sky News reporter hours before his election victory. (Reuters/Dieu-Nalio Chery TPX)
After Matthews said he was a journalist, El-Sayed scoffed and replied, “in the U.K.”
“You know how many votes I want to get in the U.K.? Zero,” El-Sayed told Matthews as he placed both hands on the reporter’s shoulders. “I’m never running for office in the U.K.”
Matthews stressed that the 2026 midterms “matters to the world” and told El-Sayed he was “bidding to be a senator.”
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“A senator in where? What country? What country?” El-Sayed retorted while placing his hands on Matthews’ shoulders again.
“The United States,” Matthews answered.
“What country are you with?” El-Sayed then asked.
“I’m based in the United States,” Matthews said.
“But you report for where? Where are your viewers?” El-Sayed interrupted.
Michigan Democratic Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a midterm election-night watch party at the Department at Hudson’s on Nov. 4, 2026 in Detroit, Mich. (Salwan Georges/Getty Images)
El-Sayed dismissed Matthews when claiming Sky News viewers were international, insisting “Sky News is not viewed in the United States of America,” then sneering that “like five people” watch the network in the U.S.
“I’ve answered all the questions, I’ve answered all the questions for the viewers of the United Kingdom. So I’m going to ask you to stop chasing me around. Please,” El-Sayed said before walking away. Matthews denied to El-Sayed he was “chasing” him around.
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According to Sky News, Matthews “repeatedly sought an interview” with El-Sayed. The Democrat had another tense exchange with Matthews on Monday as he attempted to press him about the defection of Democratic Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens, who had endorsed GOP rival Mike Rogers.
“If you keep being in my way, I’m not going to be very happy,” El-Sayed told the reporter.
Sky News issued a statement in support of its reporter.
“We’re proud of our correspondent James Matthews, who was doing his job: covering the election campaign and asking straightforward questions on behalf of our audiences,” a Sky News spokesman told Digital. “The outcome of US elections has ramifications globally, including in the UK and across the 138 countries worldwide where millions of people consume Sky News.”
The El-Sayed campaign didn’t respond to Digital’s requests for comment.
El-Sayed has had several tense exchanges with reporters leading up to the midterm elections. (Sarah Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
El-Sayed, who has had multiple tense exchanges with reporters in the run-up to the midterms, defeated Rogers in the closely watched Senate race for a seat Republicans were hoping to flip this election cycle.
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Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, dealing Republicans a major setback.
